Barnet stuck with the same starting 11 that got "humiliated" at Grimsby Town last week with Paul Fairclough giving his players "a chance to redeem themselves" against Mansfield Town on Saturday.

It was the Bees who started the game the brighter of the two sides with Jason Puncheon forcing Mansfield goalkeeper Jason White into a fine save with his legs after a pass by Liam Hatch set up the winger in the 10th minute.

Barnet continued to play the better football after a bright opening although chances were at a premium in the first half hour for either side.

Nicky Bailey saw his dipping volley from all of 25 yards go just  over the crossbar for the Bees in the 35th minute, whilst five minutes later Simon Brown saw his strike well blocked by Simon King at the other end for Mansfield.

The referee added on five minutes of injury time at the end of the first period after an injury to Mansfield midfielder Callum Lloyd delayed proceedings and in the second minute of time added on, Brown saw his free kick go just over for the home side.

Just four minutes later, in an expected sixth minute of injury time, Billy Dearden's side were to take the lead, somewhat against the run of play.

Steve Dawson found Nathan Arnold on the right hand side, before his deep cross was bundled in at the far post by Barry Conlon to end the half on a bitter note for Fairclough's travelling Bees.

Barnet began the second half brightly after a disappointing end to the first period and Dean Sinclair saw an early strike go just wide for the Bees.

Fairclough's troops continued to press forward, although they were struggling to break down a resolute and stubborn Mansfield backline.

It was Mansfield, though, who were to score once more in the 66th minute when they broke forward quickly and Conlon's ball over the top found fellow forward Simon Brown who advanced towards goal before finishing calmly past Lee Harrison from 12 yards.

Two minutes later, though, and Barnet were given a lifeline when Adam Birchall pulled a goal back against his former club when Mansfield failed to clear a corner kick and the Bees twice hit a post through Sinclair and Cogan before former Mansfield man Birchall smashed the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

In a frantic five minutes, Barnet came close to finding the equaliser when Birchall chased down a long Sinclair ball forward, and although goalkeeper White got to the ball first, his kick only fell to the feet of Nicky Bailey who scuffed his effort towards goal allowing White to retreat and tip the ball around a post.

Sinclair then hooked the ball over the bar for Barnet in the 70th minute after a fine Birchall cross lopped up high as the Bees midfielder was about to strike, before Harrison did well to tip over a fine drive from Danny Sleath.

Oliver Allen and Richard Graham then entered the action for the Bees in place of Liam Hatch and Nicky Nicolau as Barnet reverted to a three man defence in an attempt to obtain something from the game.

Barnet continued to press in search of the equaliser and the introduction of Giuliano Grazioli for Adam Birchall added to their quest for that all important goal.

Barry Cogan's jinking run into the box two minutes from time saw him shoot from the right with White able to palm the ball away from danger following the midfielder's fierce strike on goal.

The fourth official added three minutes of added time but it was another disappointing day for the Bees on their travels as their quest for an equaliser did not materialise.

By Jonathan Sugar

Attendance: 2,443
Away: 182